Wow! I thought this was a photo until I zoomed in

No problem! Hope you have a good time at EOU

mallards are persistent re-nesters so it’s possible there may be more late broods this year if there are more hens that have had multiple failed broods and are on their 2nd/3rd etc breeding attempts

Mallards have a long breeding season so there will usually be a few broods around in late summer (broods in autumn & winter aren’t unheard of!) but it’s likely the v dry & hot weather has meant high duckling mortality this season

Thanks!

Thanks that would be great!

I can’t say I know much about neoteny in ducks but I think in that case it would have a male type bill unlike this one

An understandable conclusion!